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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Bob Freeman D-Northampton
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House passes plan to provide coverage to uninsured Pennsylvanians
Measure moves to Senate for consideration
HARRISBURG, March 17 – The state House today passed legislation that would provide health insurance coverage to individuals currently on a state waiting list for low-cost insurance, according to state Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton.
The Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care program would offer subsidized and low-cost health insurance to more than 272,000 Pennsylvanians who are currently uninsured. The legislation also would allow small businesses to provide coverage to their employees through the state, and would improve the state's current adultBasic program by adding coverage for prescriptions, behavioral health care, preventive care and chronic disease management.
"This program would be the vehicle that could provide health care to thousands of working adults in Pennsylvania who can't get health coverage because they can't afford it," Freeman said. "And for those individuals, caring for a family who gets sick could mean financial ruin. It benefits everyone if we make sure these hard-working adults are given the opportunity to provide health insurance for themselves and their families."
Under PA ABC, uninsured Pennsylvanians earning about $32,000 a year or less for a family of four – about 150 percent of the poverty level -- would have fully subsidized coverage under the plan. Uninsured Pennsylvanians earning between 150 percent and 200 percent of the poverty level could access coverage for a monthly premium of $40 or $50, depending on income. For those earning up to 300 percent of the poverty level, PA ABC would be available at the state's cost which is about $311 a month. The program would also act as an insurer of last resort for those higher income individuals who cannot get private health insurance.
Freeman said the plan would also benefit Pennsylvania's small businesses that are already providing health insurance to their workers. The businesses would be eligible for state grants to help them continue that coverage.
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